How to Delete/Move Recovery Partition Server 2022 2019 2016

Part1: Delete recovery partition server 2022

Here are two methods to remove the recovery partition.

Method#2 Delete server 2022 recovery partition with Partition Resizer

When the recovery partition is just behind the c drive, it would block extending the c drive. Disk Management, the Windows built-in utility cannot delete the recovery partition. Then this time you need Partition Resizer Server, a Windows disk management tool.

Step1. Download, install and open this server partition management tool.

Step2. Right click the recovery partition once the software load all disk information, and go to "Delete Partition" option

Step3. Confirm deleting the recovery partition

Step4. Click APPY CHANGES button in the software to get the partition deleted.

Video: How to delete recovery/reseved partition

Also read: how to delete recovery partition

Part2: Move recovery partition server 2022 2019

Conditions: Unallocated space on the same disk is required for moving the recovery partition.

Key: Shrinking a large partition to produce unallocated space, and then use Partition Resizer to change the location of the unallocated space and any partition including the recovery partition. (Unallocated produced from a partition can be moved to c drive adjacent using Partition Resizer)

Caution: Changing the location of the recovery partition may result the Windows RE fail to work in the future, we strongly recommend you backup your OS and recovery partition at first to another disk at first with Partition Resizer that can help migrate OS and other data including the recovery partition onto another disk as backup. (Details of migrating the OS and recovery partition: See part3)

Here is an example that you may shrink a volume and then move the unallocated space and the recovery partition to get the c drive expanded.

Video: how to resize partition and move recovery partition to expand c drive

Download Partition Resizer Server

Method#1 Delete server 2022 recovery partition using diskpart

To delete the recovery partition on a Windows Server 2022 using the diskpart command-line tool, you can follow these steps:

Note: Before proceeding, please ensure you have a complete backup of any important data on the server. Deleting partitions can result in data loss if not done correctly.

• Open an elevated Command Prompt by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."
• In the Command Prompt window, type diskpart and press Enter to launch the diskpart utility. You may be prompted for administrator permissions, so allow the access if requested.
• Once you're in the diskpart utility, type list disk and press Enter to view a list of available disks on your server.
• Identify the disk number associated with the disk that contains the recovery partition you want to delete. Take note of the disk number.
• Type select disk X (replace X with the appropriate disk number) and press Enter to select the disk that contains the recovery partition.
• Next, type list partition and press Enter to view a list of partitions on the selected disk.
• Identify the partition number associated with the recovery partition you want to delete. Take note of the partition number.
• Type select partition X (replace X with the appropriate partition number) and press Enter to select the recovery partition.
• Finally, type delete partition override and press Enter to delete the selected partition. The "override" parameter is used to force the deletion without additional confirmation prompts.

1. Once the partition is deleted, you can exit the diskpart utility by typing exit and pressing Enter.

Please exercise caution while using diskpart, as any mistakes can result in data loss. Make sure you have selected the correct disk and partition before executing the "delete partition" command. It's always recommended to have a backup of important data before making any changes to disk partitions.

Failed? Or Several Recovery Partitions? Try this one

Note: If there are several windows recovery partitions on your disk especially when your Windows OS is upgraded from previous old versions, then there will be several recovery partitions on your disk, and some of them might stop working. Here is what you need to do.

1, Locate the current recovery partition by using reagentc /info in the cmd window.

Windows RE location: \?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition2\Recovery\WindowsRE

Here it shows the partition2 is the recovery partition.

Or you may use the following cmd to see which one is your recovery partition.

diskpart
list disk
select disk 0
list partition

And then use the following cmd once you know which partition is your recovery partition.

diskpart
list disk
select disk #（#means the disk number that contains your recovery partition）
list volume（is to list all the partitions on this disk）
select volume #
delete volume

Not easy to follow? Try the third party tool IM-Magic Partition Resizer that can help delete the recovery partition.

Part3: How to backup c drive and the recovery partition server 2022 2019 2016

Cause: Deleting the recovery partition or moving the recovery partition may make the recovery partion not functional or Windows RE disabled.

Solution: Backup both c drive and the recovery partition to another disk as backup

Preparation: An empty disk without any partition on the disk

Guide: How to backup c drive and its recovery partition to another disk

Option#1: Backup c and recovery partition only

Option#2: Backup the whole disk, c and recovery partition and the rest volumes

Here are the steps:

Step1. Insert the external bakcup disk to pc (external or internal disk are both OK)

Step2. Download, install Partition Resizer Server, open it and go to the top tool bar, click Tools -> Migrate OS Wizard

Step3. Choose the backup disk at this step, and then click NEXT.

Step3. Confirm the disk cloning by clicking APPLY CHANGES.

 

Note: You need to do nothing if you disconnect the backup disk and keep the old disk on the pc.

 

Also read: how to clone c drive server 2022

The scenarios:

#1 Recovery partition blocking extend volume server 2022

In some cases, the recovery partition is placed immediately next to the C drive, which can prevent the C drive from being extended. The recovery partition is typically created by the manufacturer to store system recovery files. When attempting to extend the C drive using disk management tools, the recovery partition may appear as an immovable barrier, restricting the extension.

To resolve this issue, you have a few options:

1. Delete the recovery partition: If you have already created a system backup or recovery media and no longer require the recovery partition, you can delete it. However, exercise caution as this can result in the loss of the recovery functionality. Only proceed with this option if you have an alternative recovery solution in place. (We strongly recommend you parepare a disk, and then clone the c drive and its recovery partion to another disk as backup.)

2. Reinstall the operating system: If you are comfortable with reinstalling the operating system, you can choose to perform a clean installation. During the installation process, you can manually partition the hard drive and allocate more space to the C drive.

   Also read: how to install server 2022 without recovery partition

Remember to back up your important data before making any changes to the partitions, as there is always a risk of data loss. Additionally, if you're uncertain about performing these tasks yourself, it may be advisable to seek assistance from a professional or consult the manufacturer's support for guidance specific to your system.

Resize the recovery partition?

The recovery partition cannot be resized and besides it's very small with just around 500MB space which won't produce large unallocated space for extending the c drive.

Note: Neither the disk management tools nor diskpart will allow deleting, resizing or moving the recovery partition. Third party tool Partition Resizer Server can do the job of deleting, or moving the recovery partition.

Scenario#2: Delete partition greyed out on recovery partition disk management server 2022

If the "Delete partition" option is greyed out in Disk Management on your Windows Server 2022 system, it could be due to one or more of the following reasons:

• Insufficient permissions: Make sure you are logged in as an administrator or have sufficient permissions to perform disk management tasks. Without appropriate privileges, certain actions may be restricted.
• System or boot partition: The recovery partition may be marked as a system or boot partition. Windows does not allow you to delete these partitions using Disk Management as it could render the system unbootable.
• Active partition: If the recovery partition is marked as active, you won't be able to delete it using Disk Management. The active partition is necessary for booting the system.
• Virtual Disk Service (VDS) limitations: In some cases, the Virtual Disk Service (VDS) may encounter limitations that prevent the deletion of partitions through Disk Management. This can occur due to various reasons, such as disk errors or incompatible disk configurations.

To overcome these limitations and delete the recovery partition, you can try the following alternative methods:

1. Command Prompt: Launch Command Prompt as an administrator and use the diskpart command-line tool to manage partitions. Be cautious when using this tool, as it can cause data loss if not used correctly. Use the following steps:

   a. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
   b. Type diskpart and press Enter to launch the diskpart tool.
   c. Use the list disk command to identify the disk containing the recovery partition.
   d. Select the disk by typing select disk <disk number> (replace <disk number> with the appropriate value).
   e. Use the list partition command to view the partitions on the selected disk.
   f. Select the recovery partition by typing select partition <partition number> (replace <partition number> with the appropriate value).
   g. Finally, type delete partition override and press Enter to delete the partition forcefully.

2. Third-party partition management software: If the above method doesn't work or you prefer a more user-friendly interface, you can use third-party partition management software such as IM-Magic Partition Resizer Server which can backup disk, migrate os, delete recovery partition etc.

Before making any changes to your disk partitions, it's crucial to back up your data to prevent data loss. Deleting partitions can result in permanent data deletion, so exercise caution and double-check that you're selecting the correct partition for deletion.

FAQs

Question: can I delete recovery partition server 2016? is it ok to delete recovery partition server 2022? can i delete windows recovery partitions?

Answer: If you made a safe backup on both the os disk and the recovery partition, then it is safe to delete its recovery partition, besides it is totally safe if your OS is upgraded from old version of Windows that its old recovery partition has already disabled and won't function. You may delete these recovery partitions safely.

Question: how do I delete a recovery partition in windows server?

Answer: You may delete a recovery partition in windows server using diskpart cmd or some safe disk partition software like Partition Resizer Server.